Club members did not gather for book club in February 2022 after the sudden death of one of our members, and my Aunt, Muriel Baker. She was very fondly regarded and is greatly missed.

Muriel was a founding member of the club and a lynchpin in recent years, generously offering her apartment for our monthly gatherings when COVID and our home locations allowed.

She was also my backstop. Whether preparing questions about the month's book for club meetings when I had run out of time, helping club members with IT issues on Zoom or putting on sumptuous repasts for those members lucky enough to be physically present for meetings, Muriel was always generous, reliable and good humoured.

Muriel was a firm believer in the importance of reading the classics and so each year we make sure at least one is on the book list, in memory of Muriel.

Chris Walker